Thursday, July 21, 2011
A bill approved in the Michigan Senate last week would place stricter limits on cash subsidies for low-income families, but some say the measures are ill-advised in light of the state’s high unemployment rate.
Some of Dearborn's poorest residents are likely to feel more economic pain during the next several months after Michigan enacts some of the toughest cash-assistance provisions in the country. The Republican-led Michigan Senate–voting along party lines–approved two bills that would curb welfare cash benefits to only 48 months during a resident’s lifetime. The state currently has a 48-month limit, but those months can be suspended as long as cash recipients can prove they are adhering to a predetermined self-sufficiency plan, which includes searching for work and/or taking part in job-training programs. The bills are designed to save the state more than $70 million in welfare benefits. Under the legislation approved in the Senate–and …
Saturday, July 16, 2011
ACCESS, the Arab American National Museum and Turner Classic Movies are partnering up to try to dispel Arab stereotypes through a month-long movie series.
Few in Dearborn are unfamiliar with Arab stereotypes in the media–an entertainment industry affliction sometimes referred to as “the three B syndrome”: bombers, belly dancers and billionaires. But the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, the Arab American National Museum and Turner Classic Movies are partnering up to try to dispel Arab myths through a month-long movie series, according to Lana Mini, ACCESS’s communications coordinator. At 8 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday through July 28, “Arab Images in Film” will showcase movies that provide valuable insight regarding Hollywood’s portrayal of Arabs. The series is the sixth installment of TCM’s Race & Hollywood project, which examines how different racial and cultural …
42.322
-83.17654
Arab American National Museum
13624 Michigan Ave, Dearborn, MI
/articles/tcm-movie-series-to-educate-on-hollywoods-arab-stereotypes
1538415
/locations/4858004
42.307244
-83.143865
Arab Community Center for Economic & Social Services
2651 Saulino Ct, Dearborn, MI
/articles/tcm-movie-series-to-educate-on-hollywoods-arab-stereotypes
1537915
/locations/4858005
Thursday, July 14, 2011
The Dearborn nonprofit is reaching out to help the community cope with the Wednesday shooting of a 23-year-old Dearborn man.
In the wake of a shooting that left a 23-year-old Dearborn man dead Wednesday evening, a Dearborn community organization is offering its services to help those affected both directly and indirectly by the crime. The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services has a crisis team in place to assist residents emotionally troubled by the shooting, according to a press release. “Last night, we were truly saddened at this horrible news,” ACCESS Executive Director Hassan Jaber said in the statement. “We extend our deepest sympathies to the families, friends and community members who are dealing with the loss. ACCESS is here for all those who need help.” The organization’s team offers both short-term intervention and long-term assistance…
42.307244
-83.143865
Arab Community Center for Economic & Social Services
2651 Saulino Ct, Dearborn, MI
/articles/access-offers-support-after-dearborn-shooting
1537915
/locations/4845676
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
For Dearborn residents affected by state’s continuing economic misfortune, there are still obstacles to finding employment–even though the city’s jobless data has been consistently better than the state.
What is ironic about Said Nasser’s current unemployment situation is that he spent 10 years helping people find work. The 40-year-old Dearborn resident and father of five, who lost his job in January 2009, worked as a recruiter for a temporary employment firm, until his employer folded amid a difficult local economy and challenges within Dearborn’s automotive and manufacturing sector. “I loved doing it,” he said. “I knew that everything I was doing was helping someone take care of their family and find new opportunities.” Today, Nasser could use someone to show him the same consideration. His unemployment compensation–the only lifeline his family had since he was laid off–ran out after 99 weeks. He’s looked for work every day since his …
Monday, June 27, 2011
Education services and support help break down the barriers faced by new immigrants and struggling families.
The Arab-American population in Dearborn has dramatically changed over the last 10 years. There are far more youth (more than 30 percent of its population is below 18 years of age), the immigrant population is still growing and the city took in 3,000 refugees last year. But poverty is a continued and growing issue. In the south end of Dearborn–where almost 90 percent of the population is Yemeni–the city has the highest area of families living in poverty in Dearborn. In some areas, poverty rates rival those of Detroit, and four out of 10 children live in households with incomes at or below poverty, according to Inkster-based Starfish Family Services. Their studies also show that in Dearborn, 15 percent or more of households earn less than $…
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Funds from the Michigan Department of Education will be used to provide social and educational programs for 500 local youth.
A new grant for the Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services will expand summer youth programming, the Dearborn-based nonprofit announced Thursday in a release. The Youth and Education Department at ACCESS has been awarded a $187,217 grant through the Michigan Department of Education to expand its summer youth programs. These programs will include math and literacy enrichment, weekly field trips, and both youth development and recreational activities for schools around metro Detroit. Last year, ACCESS programs served 210 students at two sites. The expansion will allow an anticipated 500 students to attend at five sites. Programs will be available to students enrolled at Salina, Lowrey and William Ford elementary …
Suge White
12:00 pm on Thursday, July 21, 2011
I'll try not to 'loose' it. You seem to misunderstand what this article is about. The months one can claim are now lessened. If one cannot find employment within FOUR years then there are bigger issues at hand. "The state currently has a 48-month limit, but those months can be suspended as long as cash recipients can prove they are adhering to a predetermined self-sufficiency plan, which includes… more ›